Followers

Facebook Badge

Sunday, January 25

Lloyd Cohen thinks people should have the right to buy or sell organs, an idea reviled by docs.

As of last Wednesday at 5:44 p.m., according to the minute-by-minute count on the Web site of the United Network for Organ Sharing, there were 75,629 people awaiting kidney transplants in the United States. Here's roughly what we can expect to happen over the next 12 months, based on the experience of recent years. About 10,000 of them will receive transplants from deceased strangers, awarded by UNOS roughly in order of waiting time. An additional 6,000 or so on the waiting list will get a transplant from a living donor, almost invariably a close friend or relative. About 5,000 will either die or become too sick to qualify for a transplant. Most of the rest will still be waiting a year from now. They might want to consider talking to Lloyd Cohen....

136 comments:

I do agree with Dr. Cohen and I also disagree. I have lived in the lower middle class to middle, middle class all of my life and I know that if me or anyone of my family members or myself needed an organ there would be no way we would be able to afford to buy it off EBay from anyone. But I do believe that if it’s yours then you should be allowed to sell it if your want. I have never liked taking anything for free, I have always worked hard for anything I ever got in my life, so I do not like that it sounds like a charade when someone gives away an organ. So I have to say I am on the fence about this one. I know people need help when it comes to getting a healthy organ, but I also believe that if it belongs to you, you should be able to sell it.

If a woman can abort a baby because it's her body, if anyone can tattoo, or pierce, or mutialte their body, because it is theirs, if you can decide to donate one of your kidneys to someone for free, because it's your body, then yeah, why shouldn't you be allowed to for profit?

Wow, longest run-on sentence ever. Good thing this isn't English...

The only problem I have with this is unscroupulous governments that suppress free will and free speech. Regimes in Asia come to mind, such as China, which feigns tolerance when western reporters are around.

If you read first hand account of devout Christians or Buddhists from China it is absolutely horrifying. I would be worried about the legitimacy of the "free-will" donations of organs coming from countries with obvious human rights transgressions.

Other than that, if you are deemed competent sanitywise, then it's your body, right? Knock yourself out...literally.

I think there's a fairly big "ick" factor involved here, but once you get passed that, I think the idea's pretty okay. You can already sell your hair. Your blood. Your sperm. As far as I'm concerned, this is just the next logical step in the process.

The potential for profit just gives people more incentive to donate. That means we'll have more organs available, and fewer people will die. Obviously, that can only be a good thing.

What's more, it very nearly eliminates the need for a black market. If you can buy and sell organs legitimately, there's almost no reason to do it under the table. That means less money going to criminals, and more healthy organs going to the sick.

Of course, the whole thing has to be strictly monitored. You can't just buy a kidney over eBay or something. It's unsafe, unsanitary, and very clearly dangerous. It's absolutely vital that hospitals be involved every step of the way.

But as long as it's yours and it's healthy, sure. It's your property, so if you want to sell it, who's to stop you?

I agee with Dr. Cohen and beleive you should be able to sell or do whatever you want with your organs. An organ is an object that you own and if you want to sell it to someone or give it to someone to save there life than thats your decision.

If they don't allow you to purchase organs legally people are going to just buy them off the black market anyways. I don't know for sure, but if you buy an organ off the black market I'm willing to bet that it hasn't been takin care of and could have many germs and things wrong with it. Id rather buy from a hospital that has the organ on ice and is taking care of it untill it gets to the person it has to go to.

To clarify things, you can not buy organs on EBAY and what is meant by "black market" is that when you find a donor and pay him, he shows up at the hospital pretending he is your cousin or another relative. Thus he is registered as a "volunteer" donor.If the onditions are lax, he does not have to claim anything, he just shows up for the operation. However the organ is removed in a hopistal.Or the donor is not a volunteer. He is abducted or forced to donate. However the operation does take place in some sort of medical facility.Another way organs are taken are from cadavers.Now, given that this is probably a Third World country, chances are the removal and transport do not follow strict hygienic criteria.

In the San Francisco Chronicle I read "In Gurgaon, a posh New Delhi suburb, police last month busted an illegal organ racket, which included doctors, nurses, pathology clinics and hospitals. In the past 14 years, the participants allegedly removed kidneys from about 500 day laborers, the majority of them abducted or conned, before selling the organs to wealthy clients."

As an organ donor it is my hope that my otherwise useless organs would be beneficial to some other life. This being said I don't know if the sale of organs in the free market would represent the best intrest of the public. As an argument against the sale of organs one may say theft may pose problems. Or in dark times of life and death you may find people making arangments for organs with goods and services not backed by the us treasury. If we live in a rich family enviroment and surround ourselves with good friends most of us may not need to come up with the capital to purchase an organ (if you are lucky enough to know someone with a spare). All this being said. We live in a free society based on a free market. It should be your choice.

Holy Mackerel! I don't beleive this guy! What makes anyone think that selling an organ is an "owners preference" issue? Just because you have 2 kidneys or 2 lungs doesn't mean you can simply sell them. What constitutes a Bill of Sale? What constitutes a receipt? What if you want your kidney back? So many issues to ponder. Can a person put restrictions on the sale, say I want my kidney to be used only on a white male under 30 years of age? How do I know the kidney I sell will go to the person I sold it to. There has to be a better way to help those on the organ donor list.

I do agree and disagree with Dr. Cohen. One is born with there own organs and what you do with those organs is your own business. In the world today a person can sell anything they wish. Heres the argument...if everyone begins selling organs instead of donating the people that are depserate for organs and cannot afford them will be at loss and we will lose more people than helping. How can one put a price on a person life? I know in the world today eveyhing always comes down to money.

I personally would not sell my organs. If my family or friends needed an organ and i was a match i would simply give instead of sell. Or if they needed an organ from a srtanger I would like to know that a good hearted stranger was willing to give because one day they might have family that needs an organ and they have limited funds to purchase one, and that a good hearted stranger helped their family. When I die I would like to know before I die that I will help someone else live a longer life free of charge.

What happened to the good will of humans when it came to donating organs. Why does everything have to come right back to money?

I agree and disagree with Dr. Lloyd Cohen, because everyone should have the right to do whatever they want with their own organs. Selling or donating your organs is a very controversial, but I believe that whatever you do is your personal choice. If you’re desperate and ill and have the money to purchase an organ to save your life, I don’t think anyone will hesitate to buy one on the black market. At the same time, I feel that by allowing this, only the people that have and that are willing to spend thousands of dollars for organs will be only ones benefited by it. People also do anything for money, and they will sell their organs for all the wrong reasons, Money. At the end of the game everything comes down to money, so there is no point to this argument because people will do whatever they feel, want or need to do. I am an organ donor. I believe that after your dead there is no point in NOT donating your organs if you are not going to use them, but I would never sell anything part of my body if im still alive.

I do believe law against selling your kidneys should be lifted. As many have already stated (in comments left in the articles as well), if we can sell other parts of ourselves, why not a kidney? There should of course be plenty of screening before-hand (such as psychological evaluations). No doubt there are people in severe financial struggles that would be more than willing to offer a kidney for a price.

This would also lead to an increase in kidneys available for transplant. Transplant patients who could not afford to wait but could afford to buy would be in luck. They would not have to go as far as looking into the black market.

With that said, this could greatly impact the issue of organ trafficking. A well-thought comment was left on the "Organ Trafficking Is No Myth" article:

"Jeneen Interlandi's report on trafficking in organs for transplantation illustrates the perils engendered by laws against compensation for donation. When people are forced to utilize the black market, price premiums and risk of prosecution attract organized crime cartels to the trade introducing unsavory elements to what should be a legitimate transaction. People have a right to their own body, including the right to sell portions of it. Laws banning this practice can only be justified if one believes that a person is a vassal of the State with no sovereignty over themselves--a notion antithetical to the founding principles of America. Amesh Adalja, MD"

You can view the article here:http://www.newsweek.com/id/178873?tid=relatedcl

Although, legalizing the sale/purchase of organs could lead to less donors, as they may figure why donate when they can profit? In that case we could only hope for generosity. We could also hope that people will list themselves as donors to begin with, and if some crisis occurs in that persons life that may require them to sell their organ(s), so be it.

I would also assume that the donated organs would be set apart from those that were sold/purchased. A waiting list for donated organs could still be in order for those that can not afford to buy or can afford to wait. The organs that were sold/purchased would be available to those that can buy.

I have to say after reading to the end of the article it puzzles me why Dr. Cohen even bothered to bring this issue to the table... As quoted in the article, “Cohen's kidneys aren't for sale, even if the law changes. At least while he's alive. He is 61, is in excellent health and doesn't need the money.” So he wants to sell them when he’s dead instead… will the money go to help pay for his funeral? Does he want to buy some parts? Or if not his kidneys, what "part" does he want to sell? Something he doesn't use perhaps, or does he have friends with extra bodies laying around that need some cash? What’s in it for him?

I for one am against it. Although I do agree your body is your own and you can do what you want with it, I for see this scenario happening… later on down the road someone who sold a part is sitting at his doctor being told "Yes, I'm afraid you’re going to die soon because you no longer have your (insert organ here). It seems after over 100 years of thinking it wasn't something our body needed, turns out we do." Now the dying person wants his organ back, is it still his? Would this be considered a “recall” by the manufacture? Or does he have to accept his inevitable demise?

While trying not to go religious on anyone, but to further my stand on the issue, I believe God gave us all our parts for a reason. I understand people are dieing in need of parts, and if my brother needed something and I was a potential donor then I would more then happily offer him whatever I could to see he survive. As for strangers, well I can’t just up and sell / give one of my kidneys (since that’s the part the article is mostly talking about) away, because then if my brother or relative needs one later I wouldn’t have one to give anymore now would I?

I agree with Dr. Cohen. Although there are risks involved, someone can obviously live with only one kidney because it would be illegal to perform kidney transplants if there were no chance for survival. It should be the person's individual right to sell their kidney to help someone in need. To me, it is no different than selling your sperm to help couples have children. This is just the same, in that you are selling your kidney to help someone survive.

I know if my mom (or someone I loved) needed a kidney transplant, I would pay any amount to get her whatever she needed and not even bother with the waiting list. If someone were willing to sell, I would definatly not hesitate to buy it for her. It is perfectly ethical, as long as it is not forced.

I understand the argument that it's unfair to poor people, but I think I have a solution. If people have the financial ability to buy a kidney transplant and not go on the waiting list, then of course that is going to be their choice. I think the buying and selling of kidneys would just alleviate the waiting list. For those people that can't afford to buy a kidney, they should be put on the list. There will always be organ donors dying, for example, in car accidents, and those organs should be ONLY available for the people on the waiting list, and NOT available to sell. I think it helps everyone: Poor people get organs from people who have passed away in accidents and those who can afford it buy organs from people willing to sell, shortening the waiting list.

I disagree and Agree with Dr. Cohen. People can do anything they want to with there body. They do abortions, Tattoos, etc., but they cant sell there kidneys? Also, the kidneys that people give away at death, does it not have a price tag on it? Doesn't the money not go to the deceased family? Yet, there is a line of how many they can sell unless they don't care if they live or die. It wont matter if anyone agrees or disagree with Dr. Cohen because people will sell there kidneys illegally or give them away legally.

I disagree completely. I will be in a transplant waiting list in the future and even so I disagree. This decision to sell organs can bring a lot of problems. If people can choose to who they want to sell their organs to, you are opening the door to a lot of injustice. Racism would be a big problem, also discrimination because of differences in social class, and so many other dumb reasons people have for being unfair with others. Now, Dr. Cohen agrees with putting a price on life. What about all the people who can't afford to pay the ridiculously high prices the sellers are going to ask for. People who are very poor will go the extreme measures to support their families, even surgeries. When people are desperate they might make decisions that they might regret or might put them in danger. Not to mention the horrible parents that really don't care about their children, and will sell their child's organs without a doubt for some money. This decision can open the door for a hole new chapter of child and family abuse. The best thing we can do is talk to people about the importance of donation and educate about common misconceptions. I understand that it is his body and he has the right to do with it whatever he wants, but in this case he might bring along too many social problems that are going to harm people instead of helping them.

I agree with dr.cohen considerably you can sell everything else. a famous celeberity can sell under wear on ebay for a pretty penny. men can do the same by goin to sperm banks many times as they want in many cases make a living off of it. its not not wrong to want to sell your organs if those people need it bad enough im pretty sure you can make some money. It can be beneficial to the ill also, what if you are the tenth person on the waiting list to recieve an organ and someone was waiting to sell that particular organ, your family members may have the money to offer the person and purchase the special organ so in reality the ill family member can jump the many people on the waiting list whos waiting on somepne to die anyway to recieve their organs. why do you think we live in this ecoonmy built around communism. if you believe you have something of value I think you shold be able to recieve a profit on it if you feel the need to sell it.

I agree with Dr. Cohen. A person should have the right to help others by giving part of there kidneys to another. If its friends, family or just strangers. Helping a person will bring good karma to them in the long run. I think doctors and specialist who are doing the transplant should before hand check the kidneys and see if it is decent for the host. If it belongs to you and you have created it, then I dont see how its not right to give it away to someone who is unable to create or have lost an organ.

I do agree with Dr. Cohen. Many people are medically challenged and not so fortunate with decent health. If a good Samaritan decides to donate or sell an organ to help assist one in need, then by far, so be it. I don't see an issue with wanting to sell a part of your body that can help restore or improve a person's health function especially if they're at a crisis or near death. Many people are not so lucky to get donors and end up loosing an unbeatable battle, however; those that do come forth and help save those in need are looked upon as a saving grace and an angel of good will.

So, if a person can help another to save their life whether it’s by donating or selling their bodily organs for profit, move ahead...we don't have 9 lives to spare.

Selling Organs! That sounds like an excellent idea to me. It can only improve our world and help to save more peoples lives. People everyday volunteer to save other people’s lives, but there are always the less fortunate ones that can’t afford it, or they don’t know anyone that is compatible enough to give them their organs.This is a great idea because not only will more people be able to live, but the people who have already had the transplants and their body rejected the organs, they might have a second or third chance as long as they can afford it, because there won’t be a shortage and they won’t have to die waiting in line to have another transplant. It won’t be so expensive if more people do it.It isn’t really that big of a deal so they should just go ahead and pass the law making it legal. When your 16 and you go to get your license you have the option to be an organ donor anyways, so if your body is in a healthy state then you should be able to do what you want with your organs.However there should be certain limitations, about the health of the person, and there should be a set limit on how much it cost that way people can’t try to take advantage of a sick person, because they know that they are desperate for an organ. To keep this legal and affective every step should be done through lawyers and doctors to make sure that it is safe, and that afterwards one person can’t sue the other if something were to go wrong.

I agree with Dr. Cohen because people should be able to sell their organs since it's their own body and choice. Also it is for a good cause and I think that there would be more organs available, so more lives would be saved. I know that if someone I knew needed an organ I would donate it to them. The bad thing is that the people who could not afford the price of an organ would have to wait for a good samaritan to donate one and that would be a long wait. So in certain ways it would be a good thing and in other ways bad.

I agree with Dr. Cohen because people should be able to sell their organs since it's their own body and choice. Also it is for a good cause and I think that there would be more organs available, so more lives would be saved. I know that if someone I knew needed an organ I would donate it to them. The bad thing is that the people who could not afford the price of an organ would have to wait for a good samaritan to donate one and that would be a long wait. So in certain ways it would be a good thing and in other ways bad.

Being in health care, many years, I know how many people benefit monetarily. The donor freely gives his or her organs. Then all the "middle men" make a slew of money before the recipient gets their new organ at the hospital that also gets paid. I am an organ donor because it is the right thing to do. How selfish is burying my good organs when there are people suffering everyday? I will die happy knowing someone can see again, someone is off dialysis, someone can breathe again or someone has a new heart!I want a poor person or a rich person to have my organs; who ever needs them the worst should get them. I believe only poor people will sell their organs and that is a shame on our society. Education is the key to more donations not money. Ever hear the saying "Desperate people do desperate things"? If you offer money to a desperate person they may do something unthinkable otherwise. If you suggest payment after a person is dead I think that is more reasonable. But really, I hope every person reading this realizes, it's just the right thing to do. Like a bumper sticker once said "Don't take your organs to Heaven. Heaven knows we need them here".

I can not agree nor disagree with Dr. Cohen. It all depends on the person that is giving their body part weather they want to sell or donate. If I was to have the apportunity to give my kidney, that person has to truly touch my heart to the point that i feel good enough to give them a part of me and risk my health from deseases after wards.If it ever got to that point i would donate my kidney to the person not sell. But then again if i truly needed the money to pay some-things off i would. Sperm and Kidneys are two different things, sperm reproduces every second of the day and men can live with out where as a Kidneys does not reproduces and people can not live with out.

I do not understand why, other than the possible ethical issue this is not legal. From what information i can find it seems that the majority of kidneys come from postmortem donors, and the mostly all others come from close family relatives. Keeping that in mind it makes me think, how would the sale of the kidney cause issues other than for people who have there own personal moral objections to it? I find it very unlikely that someone who normally would be donating via there own free will would then suddenly be charging for there kidneys if it was legal(for lack of a better term). Also, in my opinion any black market selling of kidneys would almost instantly and virtually be demolished, once kidney sales were established a market would be set and im sure the prices would be much lower than whatever the going rate is now, plus regulated and safer.

I agree with Dr. Cohen because if it's yours then you should be able to sell it or donate it. Now me personally, I would GIVE it to a family member in need if it was a life or death situation. I would donate a kidney or part of my liver to a stranger if I was absolutely certain that I could live a "normal" life for the rest of my life.

In alot of ways I agree with Dr. Cohen and in someways I don't. This is why i think freedom of speech is so awesome, I do agree that people should have the right to buy an organ or even sell one should they find a buyer, but i also disagree with the fact that if someone in need, needs a donor they should not have to be pushed into the mentality that if they can't afford it then there's a possiblity that they could die. I don't think it's right to put profit on everything, somethings should just be done because there is a need. BUT and that's a big BUT, I do feel that making a profit gives people an incentive to want to donate their organs which means there's a huge possibilty that more lives could be spared, so in this case i do agree. I don't think there's a right or wrong answer to this debate, it's good and bad in just about everything so i'm "IFY" on the whole subject.

I agree that a person should have the right to sell their organs. The only thing is: there should be limits. I believe as long as the person is not putting themself in a predicament. By that, I mean they should be able to do it depending on the state of their health. As long as a person is in good health (by a doctors standards). There should be a boundary also about the need of the money, because a person might be very greedy and have no real need for the money, but if it's a person who can't put food on their table or is struggling financially should be able to be open to the idea (if they want).

Dr. Cohen mentioned the different jobs that put their life on the line to save others, but is not looked down upon because they are being payed for it. I feel that is an exceptional argument. Someone who is able to sell their organs are not being selfish because they need the money, but also saving a life that caould have been lost if they could not purchase the organ. I also think there should be a limit of organs a person should be able to sell. It may go hand-in-hand with the health issue. A person is obviously less healthy with one kidney than two.

As said before, i am okay with the idea for a person to sell their organs as long as there are proper limitations and moderation. Afterall, it is for saving lives.

I think I made a mistake when I previously stated that theft of an organ can not take place against your will. According to HOW ORGAN DONATION WORKS the following story has happened (I can not be sure of the seriousness of the source however).I copy: "While at first believed to be a true but surreal horror story (often involving the victim waking up in a bathtub full of bloody ice cubes), and then dismissed as an urban legend, kidney theft has been known to happen. A day laborer, Mohammad Salim Khan, who lived close to Delhi, India, was looking for a day's wages when he agreed to go to a house under the premise that he'd be paid $4 a day for construction work. He was then held at gunpoint for several days, along with two other deceived day laborers. Eventually, they were taken to a hidden operating room, rendered unconscious by drugs and, when they later awoke in horrific pain, were informed that their kidneys had been removed. A medical examination of Khan showed that his kidney had, in fact, been removed."

Wow, where do we draw the line? We all seem to be thinking so selfishly, its my body I should be able to do with it what I want. I believe if we open that part of pandora's box, because believe me pandora's box is almost completely open, we will just send our society into over load. I totally disagree with Dr. Cohen, we can't even keep up with the effects that cyber crime is having on our society, do you think with the internet and access to every part of the world we will be able to control the sale of organs? Black market may go away in one respect, but now with the sale of organs, I believe it will put more people in jeopardy than the black market is doing. Abductions of the homeless, poor, would increase, and with the moral integrity of our society, abductions in general would rise and people would just start disappearing all in response to greed. We are not even thinking about the people who are willing to sell their organs health. Giving an organ is just as dangerous as receiving one. Complications of surgery happen every day. For once in our lives, let's take a moral stand on an issue, it is not all about it's my body I can do with it what I want. It is about what is best for our society and the society that my children and grand children will grow up in. Give your organs away, if you want to help someone, don't sell them and make our world worse than it already is. I would give a kidney to a friend, family member, or even a stranger to save a life, why bring greed into it?

I think people should be able to sell their Kidneys or other body parts as long as they are mentally stable. Other countries like China have a black market for organs so they get money for them anyways. If we legalize it in the United States then we can tax it and control what organs are allowed to be sold to needy patients. If the person is dead and they can use all their organs I think the dead persons relatives should have the choice to sell off his or hers organs. Since it will be saving lives in the end.

Very interesting article. I do agree with this concept on a few levels. First - lives will be saved. Second - people should have the right to do with their body what they please. Third - for those altruistic folks out there, you can still donate your kidney and not accept money for doing so. We currently have a similar set up for blood donations. You can go to an organization and get paid cash to donate or go to an organization that will not pay you (well, maybe a t-shirt). The choice is mine (and yours). Personally, I go every six weeks and volunteer my blood, but why should someone who needs the cash, not donate and reap some financial benefit as well. I believe in individual rights; this is one of them.

I have to lean more toward the no answer to the question of selling our body organs. Although I understand why one would say that they should be able to sell parts of their body as they see fit. I feel that there are many issues that would be difficult to control in relation to the selling of body organs like ethical issues, drug use, and overall increase in crime related to monetary benefit.

First, ethical issues, let’s say that you have a young couple who are about to divorce because infidelity, greed or what have you, and one of them gets in a car wreck and is in a comatose state. Now, since they are young, they probably have no advance directives, living will, or any of their wishes written down anywhere. So the spouse would now be in control of making all of these decisions, so she or he can now pull the plug and sell off all the organs and walk away wealthy. Could you imagine how this would have affected the Terry Shiavo case? Also, and I have to contribute this thought to a friend of mine, the person should not be a parent or planning to become a parent. For many ethical reasons, first what if this parent donated a kidney and then a few years later went into renal failure, with only one kidney. Now the family bears the burden of taking care of that parent and maybe having to risk all of their retirement savings, or their kids college funds in order to purchase another kidney. Or, second case scenario, let’s say one of the “seller’s” children suffer some horrific accident or disease and needs a kidney, much better to take from a family member for multiple reason’s: the child has a better chance of not rejecting the organ because the protein make up is closer to their own than a non-family members kidney, and the family could more afford this option.

Second, the influx of people on drug’s trying to sell a kidney for more crack money or crystal meth money would soar through the roof. Now I know you’re probably saying well they would have to be screened and blood tests done etc. etc. But if they have just recently acquired HIV, hepatitis, or some other disease or virus, it may take up to 6 months for some of these diseases to show up on screening. And honestly, is someone on drugs going to be truthful about their habits?

In relation to the first two issues, crime would increase. Now I’m sure that there is already a black market out there. But I think people could become rather creative with either hurting other people in order the sell their organs or strong arming people who are in their debt for either drugs, gambling debts, prostitution, or people who need help getting to America and becoming citizens.

People will do a lot of things for money, and money would just be the tip of the iceberg. Without proper controls in place this would be very difficult to handle. People would be price gouged until they had given up almost everything in order to save their loved one’s or their own life because, the market would know no limits.

Do I approve of the "black market" method, not by any means. Forcing a person to have a healthy part of them cut out is vial and disturbing to say the least. Donating your organs is a more honorable way to go, in the sense that a person is willingly giving a part of themselves to another person for free to help that individual survive, is a noble act. One of my best friends had a lil brother who passed away from kidney failure, the step-father sacraficed one of his kidneys for the two year old boy. His body rejected the organ and he later passed away. But the step-father and family knows they did all they could for their son. If people were able to sell their organs to profit from them I don't ever think a poor family would be able to afford to pay for a vital organ for a member of their family. Think about it all the rich people are goin to be out bidding others. Poor people won't have a chance. But in another perspective if a family was in a situation were a kidney was needed, a life or death issue and could offer money to get one to save a life, I say why not. It could potentially rescue thousands of humans. If the poor were to sale there kidneys it could assist in their money problems. Rules should be set. If someone is goin to offer their kidney i believe it still should be in a waiting list order. Just because a person has more money than another doesn't entitle them to be higher on the list. Equal opportunity to survival is vital or it is discrimination.

I can't agree with Dr. Cohen. Fist of all, I can't even begin to imagine how horrible is must be to need a transplant - either for myself or someone I love. The pain of waiting can only compare to the reason you might receive one, the death of another person. It has to be a really hard place to be in any circumstance.I believe making this practice legal would bring many woes to an already hard situation. At first it probably would be wonderful. People would sell an organ and pay off bills. Maybe pay off medical bills for a child for instance. Maybe they would get out of debt or take a much needed vacation. Easy money right? Then people, being human, would choose this route to pay off everything. And we would become dependent on it just as we have become dependent on credit cards. Another problem would be from whom do we obtain these organs? Could guardians choose to make that decision on mentally ill, seniors, or those unable to make such a decision? Will be begin to create life only to abort that life to obtain the organs? Where would it stop? What about the highest bidder? What would happen to the poor who couldn't afford the kidney for their child?None of us - poor, rich, black, white, man, woman - are immune to what life offers us. The rain will come on the just and the unjust alike. We, as humans, have to be responsible with what we have. The fact we can doesn't always mean we should.

Of course you should be able to do whatever you want with your body. The organs are inside of you and you own it. No one else. But there should stipulations on what is a healthy and bad one. People who want to donate/sell their organs should first be tested and approved by a doctor. Only then you could do whatever you want. I Still say its amazing what people can do with other peoples body parts but if it helps save a life im up for it

Wow, that's a tough one. I don't agree or disagree with Dr. Cohen. But how would it work? Would there be a daily posting of the going rate for a kidney and the first person with verified funds gets it? I agree it's your body and you should be able to do with it what you choose but that's not always the case. What if you really need a kidney but you can't afford it? Can you put your much needed kidney on lay-away? I'm an organ donor and to be honest, I wouldn't want someone to get any of my organs simply because they can buy them. I saw an article in the paper last week where a couple was getting divorced. The husband had donated a kidney to his wife and he wanted the kidney back lol.

I with Dr. Cohen to have your decision on your body, but I don’t like people to use this way to get some money. I think we need to put limitation for how and when we sell a part from our body. We need to teaches ourselves when we do this we do it not for money we do this to save a life.

If someone was to say that it is not ethically or morally right to sell their organs, or even that persons right, then that person would also be saying that it is not a persons right to sell their own plasma (thats legal). Or how about selling their own semen? That also is legal and that business has a niche that has its own thriving following. Both the sale of plasma and semen represent the same thing as selling ones organs...life. I see no difference between the three. They all represent the giving of life...what makes one different that the other? If a person has a sound mind to make an educated decision (and they want to make a buck on the side), so be it. Sell away! If it comes down to someone actually getting the benefit of feeling the rewards of actually helping someone, then even better.

I can argue the point both ways, but I can see why the law is decided the way it is. It is done to PROTECT THE CITIZENS FROM THEMSELVES. How many people with addictions to we have in this country? How many people do we have that are on the verge of losing their home? Is this really an option that we want to give people? What 18 year old kid wouldn't sell a kidney to buy an Xbox and go on a shopping spree? This is a major decision and any time you offer someone money, they usually focus on the money and forget about that fact that they've lost a vital organ and put their life at risk. Let's advance stem cell research and attempt to grow a kidney from our own cells. Let's offer grants to scientists to find a better solution. We can split atoms, but we can't clone body parts? Sounds like priority is in death rather than life.

Why not? People do whatever they want in this day and age anyway. Money talks, if you NEED something, you will do your best to get it. If I was dying and I needed a transplant, and no one I knew had a match, I know my family would give up everything they had to save me. I wouldn't want a old, infected, beat-up organ though. They would need to screen each and every single organ donor or 'seller' for everything.

I agree with Dr. Cohen. I agree because if people were able to sell their organs then I am sure many people that are in a waiting list for transplants would benefit from this. Besides, whatever you do with your organs should be your own personal choice. It is your body and if you are allowed to contaminate your blood with tattoos which is not beneficial at all and have an abortion which is taking the life on an innocent human, then why shouldn’t you be able to sell your organs? It is your body and everything inside of it is yours. I mean it is beneficial for both sides because it will benefit the person in need of the organ and benefit the person selling it.

Dr. Cohen has a very good point that should be discussed.If something belongs to you, say a T.V., it is your right to auction it, sell it, or throw it away, and everyone is ok with that.If you think about it, we own our organs, and it should be our right to do what we want with these organs, but you must remember, it is the doctor's right as to whether he/she will remove the organ for you.I do believe that people should have the right to be paid for the organs, or to donate them. Grant you, there would need to be some limits as to how many organs one may donate, just for health precautions/reasons. For instance, we have two kidneys, and we need one. We should not be allowed to sell both of them.So, my bottom line would be: Yes, we should be allowed to sell organs, as long as we don't take that liberty too far!

I was about to disagree with Dr. Cohen because it just seems like it'll cause problems in the long run, but when I really think about it, I completely agree with Dr. Cohen because like BearsAreNaturesLions suggested, "If a woman can abort a baby because it's her body, if anyone can tattoo, or pierce, or mutilate their body, because it's theirs, if you can decide to donate one of your kidneys to someone for free, because it's your body, then yeah, why shouldn't you be allowed to profit?" I feel that it's your body and you can do as you please with it. You aren't harming another human being, you're giving life to someone, basically. You're doing what will be the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to this person. I agree with Dr. Cohen 100%.

I dont agree with Dr.Cohen. I dont think selling or buying organs is a good idea. It is an ehtical question thought becuase it would mean that some people would be able to get off the waiting list faster but then it would come down to the poeple who cant afford to buy a body part from someone. What would they do? Also it would open up a market for criminals, selling unhealthy parts and maybe preforming the surgerys but arnt doctors. The surgery for the donar is more of a risk than for the recipent. My brothers friend is waiting for a kidney transplant and all the testing they do for donar to make sure it is an exact match is very expensive. My brother was asked if he would be put on the transplant list and he said no because of the very high risk that my brother wouldnt survive ther surgey.

Although I persanally would donate an organ rather than sell one, I dont believe that it is wrong if a person wants to sell theirs. its America, we'd sell air if we could. In some places its legal to sell sex, why not an organ. Even though there will probably be an increase in the number of people wanting to sell their organs, im sure that there will still be many saintly people donating theirs.

I'll have to say that I do agree with Dr. Cohen, but then again I dont. Like many controversial issues, people should be aloud to do things like this. If you are a healthy human being and you are the right candidate for this, then I say go ahead. But then again, you have to realize that there are a lot of irresponsible people out there that will take this too far. So, I think regulations do need to be made. I also don't believe that people should try to sell ridiculous organs or if they try to sell certain organs that could kill them. This is a very controversial subject. It's good in a way because it could help many sick and dieing people but there's also the risk of irresponsible people that take this too far.

I would have to say I agree with Dr. Cohen. We Americans are always finding new ways to improve our lives everyday, even if it means selling our organs to less fortunate people. I would hope that the people selling organs would consider the price very carefully because not everyone's health insurance may cover the cost of the "up-for-sale" body parts! This is just another human rights ordeal. There will always be controversy over what you can or can't do with your body. Frankly, I don't think anyone should have any say or concern when it comes to what other people do with their body. If there are more benefits then complications or risks, then I do not have a reason to disagree with this doctor.

I agree with Dr. Cohen, as an organ donor my hope would be that my organ would be beneficial to some other life in the world. Donating organ for some body in my family or friends and I was the one that match the organ I would simply give the organ instead of selling it. Like it said in the article about 10,000 of them will receive transplants from deceased strangers, awarded by UNOS roughly in order of waiting time. An additional 6,000 or so on the waiting list will get a transplant from a living donor, almost invariably a close friend or relative. About 5,000 will either die or become too sick to qualify for a transplant. Most of the rest will still be waiting a year from now. If every body in the world donates the organ when they died or if anybody in your family or friends are one of them who need a organ, it would really be help for their family and also for you.

This is a very good topic. Although it may be disturbing for most people(specially for older generations) to agree with the "kidney-for-sale" thing, I think it would definetly help alot of people who have kidney problems. However, I dont agree with Dr. Cohen in letting the poor (and unhealthy people) to sell their organs because of money. If people want to sell their organs, they should be physically fit and in middle class community. My reason for this is: if people want to sell their organs, they should be healthy enough to reduce the risk for themself. What's the point of one person selling their organs to save other if he himself risking his life?in other words why would you turn a healthy tomatoe to a smash one? but other than that, I think they should let people to sell their kidney if they want to. We are living in tweentyfirst century, things are different than 10 years ago.

I do not agree with Cohen that we or our family can sell our organs. I believe if you want to contibute your organs it is because you want to not because you or anyone is getting any benefit from it. Our society is becoming greedy and I think that many people do not have a heart! I have decided to be an organ donor and hope that when my day comes if it can help someone then I have done my part and my reward is in Heaven. Now I am not saying that I wouldn't want the money and I can definitely want the money and I can use it but I don't need it that bad. I rather see people help others without expecting something in return.

Well I am in somewhat agreement with Mr. Cohen. I believe that your body is your body. You own your body therefore you have the right to do with it whatever you please as long as you don’t hurt anyone else in the process. (Unfortunately society (whoever they are) doesn’t think the same way. You have the right ( or you should have the right) to sell or put any one of your body parts on the market . If someone wants it bad enough they will pay for it. I don’t think it would affect the poor as much as people think. If you are given the right to sell your kidney, then poor people can sell theirs as well as rich people. Even thought there might be the temptation to sell your body part just to get by, then that decision is still up to the person who’s selling. If they want to sell a kidney so they can get money for food or whatever, that’s their call. What do you think is going on right now? People still “sell” body parts but it’s all done undercover. Covertly. We would like to think the system of getting needed organs is done fairly, but believe me, it’s not. Right now, the only people who are assured on getting a needed organ or those who can “buy” one. A donated kidney doesn’t necessarily go to the person who needs it most. It sometimes goes to the person “with the most”. Just look at who decides who gets that donated organ. Believe me, people are easily swayed by money, power, prestige or recognition. The only way a poor person or someone who isn’t a high profile person can be assured on getting a needed organ is if someone in their family specifically tags their organ for that person.But you really would have to be careful here. If it becomes law that you can sell your relatives organs for money after they die, you probably will have a whole lot more of relatives dying because.Now you have that extra incentive to help your relatives go to their grades because you can now make a lots of money not only from their insurance policies, but also from each piece of their dead body. There will be no stopping at just the kidneys; you have the heart, leg, eye, arm etc. if you think about it could make a whole lot of money taking organs from someone who’s dead. And I feel that this will likey be our new way of finding suitable organs for people. Good or bad, that’s our next step.

Donating bodies' parts is a very personal choice for some one.I have seen people donating their kidneys if a family member or even stranger in a life or death situation. However, I disagree with Dr. Cohen because marketing or selling humans' organs sound little akward to me. I know people are already selling other parts of their bodies for instance, sperm but I think human's body and human's organ deserve some respect. I believe God gave us our body and all the organs for some reason. Like I said before, donating blood or organs to save some one's life is a totally personal choice and I do highly respect for them but make a business I dis-agree.

Is anyone else aware of the last sentence of the article? Even Cohen, the guy trying to make this legal is personally opposed. I can’t help but wonder if he’s lobbying this idea for someone else or he just likes supporting ideas he doesn’t personally agree with. This issue is two sided and he only supports one. Perhaps if they do make it legal, they should have stipulations to go with it. If you’d be willing to buy an organ for you or a family member, than you should be required to be tested and but on the donor/seller registry.

Doesn’t it take away from the compassion of the act? Blood donors, marrow donors and hair donors all do it for the sake of helping others. Yes men can sell sperm, and women can sell their eggs for pure profit, but isn’t selling organs an entirely different subject? I feel selling organs could only bring us further and further down as a county, as a society. As we continue to drift steadily away from the values that we were founded on, I can only be apprehensive about what is to come. A step towards selling organs is in my mind a step towards America’s continuing collapse as a global power and our decent into compete depravity without any sense of right or wrong, good or bad.

I don't believe people should get rich off of selling there own organs or anyone elses organs for that matter. if the person is dead why take away from there life and sell something thats apart of them because it not really yours. There are so many liability issues that I can see and law suits. If I person what to donate an organ out the kindness of there heart its there free will. I feel bad for the people who will not get the organ they need to live for what ever reason but its just not right.

I do agree with Dr. Cohen for the most part in reference to someone having the right to do what they want; with what is their own. I personally believe that it isn’t something you should have to buy though. I am an organ donor and feel that once I’m no longer around, what good are my organs to me then? Doctors can feel free to take what they want and give to whoever needs it. Why not? It’s a good feeling to know that I can give someone a second chance at life once mine has expired. This is just my personal opinion.

I agree with Dr. Cohen because if everyone is entiled to their own opinion than evryone should have the right to sell any part of their body if yhey want to. I personally wouldnt do it by any means neccesarry however there are plenty of other people who will. thats just with anything though not just your organs, if you have something that belongs to you and you want to sell it you have the right to do so because its yours. America is all about making money anyway so why not put a price on what you are selling, organ or not.People who sell their organs obviously feel that they dont really need it to live or they are already dead and they told someone before they died that they wanted to sell or even donate their organs. The health care business is all about making money as well because they would rather people to just donate rather than sell it because they dont want to pay to buy it but the want others to pay for it when they are selling it.

I agree with Dr. Cohen. I strongly believe if a person is willing to help others by giving part of their kidneys to others, then more power to them. But if you are selling your organs because of the money, then I think that’s not the right idea. What if you want it back later? Too bad. If I know I will die soon, then yes I would give my organs after I die or close to my death. I’m sure transplant waiting list is very long but that we can’t do anything about. But at least, I did my part as to giving my organs away.

I would have to say I agree and disagree with Dr. Cohen in the sense that its your body, you should be able to do anything you'd like to it as long as you are of age and know that this is what you want to do. Giving a kidney is nothing like getting a tattoo or a piercing. Those things you can remove and have it heal up and then redo it. Giving up a kidney, that's something you can't grow back or can't put back in without being on the waiting list.

The right to sell your own kidney is your choice. Black market you can do, but I think that we should have that right. Not hitting on abortion because that issue is highly controversial, but its the same thing. Your body, your right to do what you want to it.

Then there is the disagree. Yes, it's your body and you should be able to do what you want to it. Yet at the same time, selling it might not be the best choice. Think about all the people who wouldn't be able to afford your kidney if you sold it for a high price. I mean, seriously, someone who might really need it won't get it because they can't afford your "high valued" kidney.

So in a way, Dr. Cohen's idea is a good one, and a bad one in so many ways. You would seriously have to sit down and decide if you would want to sell your kidney to the highest bidder or give it up and become that organ donor who saved someone's life... You never know, it could be someone in your family or a child that you saved.

I do agree with Dr. Cohen. I do believe a human being should have the right on whether they would like to give away their organs or not. Every person should have the right to make that decision since it is their own body. We should all be thankful for people that do help others in situations like this. It shows how kind people can be to one another. The part that throws me off is selling your organs to others. I do not believe our human organs should be put for sale. It is not a peice of clothing, nor is it something you buy in a store. Giving away your organs is something that should be coming from your heart not something to make extra money off of.

Seeing as how America is in troubled times part of me would like to agree with Dr. Cohen, due to the fact that selling organs could help me make a quick buck. After giving this article some thought I came to te conclusio that putting a price on organs would be a, not so good idea.

Most American are struggling to make ends meet and if a price is put on organs there will be lines rapped around every hospital across the country with people who want money for there insides. Ontop of this dilema all the people who have donated in the past would want some type of compensation for the organs that they have donated in the past. Even though this idea of tagging a price to organs sounds great we have to take into account the health of individuals in the long-run. In my opinion, Americans care more about money then their own personal health so this is the main reason way organs should remain as donations. This would keep many people in good functioning condition.

Although I do not agree with Dr. Cohens idea this doesn't mean I approve of the way the organ donation system is being ran and handled. I think that instead of putting a price on an organ they should work on improving the system so that more organs can be more readily avaiable for more individuals in a shorter amount of time. There is no reason why someone should be waiting for one year to get a kindey transplant(or any organ for that matter).

I agree with Dr. Cohen. A person should have the right to help others by giving part of there kidneys to another. If its friends, family or just strangers. Helping a person will bring good karma to them in the long run. I think doctors and specialist who are doing the transplant should before hand check the kidneys and see if it is decent for the host. If it belongs to you and you have created it, then I don't see how its not right to give it away to someone who is unable to create or have lost an organ.

You can sell plenty of things on your body and add things to your body. Kidney transplants are pretty much the same thing. I do feel that it is a very expensive procedure to do and some people aren't able to afford it. I still feel that if we have the technology and procedures to save a life, then why not use it. It doesn't seem wrong or unmoral like to give a kidney that was from a stranger that is diseased or whatnot.

I believe in helping others in life and I agree to allowing kidney transplants to attempt to save other lives.

Cohen has been fighting for decades for the right to sell off his major organs, to buy one from someone else in case of a need, and also to legalize the argument so anyone could contract to sell his or her organs after death for the benefit of the survivors. I do not think the idea that Cohen presented in making organs a commodity is a good idea for two reasons. First, I believe that it would cause more problems and cost more money. Organs have to be surgically removed and kept sterile, and the people selling their organs could have health problems afterwards which both cost money. I also believe that people sacrifice things in order to get things that they want; it would become a greed thing, just something else to pawn off. I do not think it would be fair to the lower class people because the rich could afford it and the poor people would be the ones selling the organs. The second reason is that if someone sells something, he/she should receive the profit. How would a deceased person receive any profit? I believe in the right to donate organs after a person has passed away because I do not see any use of organs in a casket. Why should the person who needs the transplant have to pay for the organ because the deceased person does not need the organ anyways. I believe the person receiving the donor should only have to pay for the medical bills. This article gears more towards money and business instead of helping others and compassion. I came to my conclusions simply by the way Cohen summarized in a dozen words, “If you pay for something, they will provide more of it.”

I don't see any problems with selling off your organs for a profit if that's what you choose. If you want to give it away, then hey, even better for some people. It basically comes down to what type of person the donor is. If they are the greedy type person, then they'll be the ones to sell their organs for a profit. If they are the humanitarian type person, then they'll be helping someone out immensely. So yea, if you want to sell your organs, go for it. There have been numerous items for sale that are completely useless, so why not put something useful for sale?

Quite a few grey areas I see in your postings. It is not a black and white issue, that's for sure. Some spoke of compassion and how donation should be exercised only on the basis of compassion, for if not, many will profit from it.The truth is that philanthropy today has moved away from pure compassion and into big business. Check out the executive offices of big charities and you might be shocked by the luxury. Or take the Non Governmental Organizations that bring relief to many victims of natural disasters and war. Their directors enjoy the perks of a CEO. I read that 70% of the funds go towards administrative expenses.So I am afraid the era of unadulterated compassion is over.

Speaking of organ donation, the uS operates under a system of volunteer donors. On a daily basis, 17 people die waiting for a transplant whereas the number of those on the waiting list has tripled over the last ten years. At the same time, the number of donors has not increased. The number of people who die waiting for a transpant increases on a yearly basis.So let's see what other countries are doing. Take Belgium, Spain and Austria for example where they have adopted the policy of "presumed consent." In other words each one of the citizens is presumed to be a donor unless he has registered his objection on a national registry.

What we observed in all three countries is that the number of transplants went dramatically up after the law was passed. In 1999 Spain had an organ donation rate of 33.6 donors/ per million people (a 142% increase in ten years). In the same year, the US had 21.8 donors/ million.

I am in utter abhor of Professor Cohen’s beliefs that an individual should be able to sell their major organs. If the U.S. law allowed the buying and selling of organs, the effects of this law in our society would be incredibly unjust and unethical. A patient, after meeting certain criteria, is placed on the waiting list, which is a running list in order of imperative state of the patient’s need of organs, blood and tissue type, size of organ, time already spent on the waiting list and distance between the donor and the recipient.

An example of injustice is when the patients that are wealthier have the ability to easily purchase the organs that they need regardless of their position on the waiting list, while the patients that are not capable of purchasing the organs will still be desperately waiting.

Another effect of Professor Cohen’s proposition is that the probability of individuals that are unhealthy and are not capable for providing for their own basic needs might feel like donating their organs are an option for them to get the money that they urgently need. What makes this situation worst is when there is a family and one or more members of the family decide to risk sacrificing their life, so that rest of the family will have enough money to survive.

On a personal view, organs should be solely a donation. An individual that donates their organs should do this deed out of the love of their heart and the will and desire to help others.

This is a serious situation its a matter of life and death situation. This affects all ages and that is sad that the people of this world are dyeing because they are awaiting for a kideny. I beleive that selling your kidney to help other's is their business as long as it is for a good cause. We need to understand those who sell their kidney is because they are in need of money and those who need the kidney is on their death bed if not received. The process of selling the kidney is hard for those who are doing it because they can put themselves in danger and if the kidney fails then that is hard breaking. We all need to think and consider for those who are dyeing from the disease to what extreme will a family or friend go to help them. Besides those in other countries who sell their kidney to help themselve and at the same time they are helping others for a good cause. My oppinion this world is so corrupt there is so much evil and there is so much more worse things happening to this world that no one is paying any attention too. This is a very heartbreaking situation that this world has come to this and the extremeties the people of this world will do for money and to help others. I actually from experience went through this with my grandmother but no one in the family had a match for her. My grandmother was on dialysis for a very long time and then she died. I wish that we had someone to have the courage to give her a kidney or even so if we had the money to buy a kidney I know that as long as its legal I will defenitely do it. Imagine for one second if its your child or anyone you love so much that you will die for them. All is well we do what we have to save the people we love and I think that we should have that outlook on the situation. Until you are there you will never know how serious and dangerous it is.

I agree with Dr. Cohen in the sense that people should be able to sell their organs, and designate a recipient if they wish. At the same time, I feel that their should be restrictions to the prices the organs are sold. If hospitals can charge patients for the organs, I don't see why donors can not. Either way, organs are not free. I'm sure that if the law passes this will create an extreme increase in the number of organ donors, which will benefit the patients in need of transplants. I myself am an organ donor. Even though I don't desire to sell my organs, I definitely understand why someone would.

I agree with Dr. Cohen’s thoughts on the kidney. I mean the kidney along with other organs naturally belong us; therefore we should have the right to sell our organs or give them away freely. I my self am an organ donor and I believe once I die my spirit will move on and my physical body will obviously stay here. I’m not going to charge those in need of my organs, because they will no longer have use in my body. However I don’t want my organs to go to science for observations and testing, when someone out there needs an organ especially the kidney. One thing that I have heard was that if you were in a car accident that the paramedics would rescue the organ donor last before a person who isn’t one because if you die than your organs will go to helping people. I am not certain if that is true or not but if that’s the case I would probably change that on my license so I could have an equal chance to live.

Im on the fence on this topic, I think that if Cohen makes this legal, Then it might save more people on the waiting list, and the donar can profit from his generosity as well as taking a risk themselves. But, if you are really poor and have nobody that can donate it to you, how does that help them?? If this becomes legal, then people will become greedy and there won't be as many people out there doing this gesture to help their fellow man, but to make extra money.

I agree with Lloyd Cohen that people should have that right to buy and sell organs. Though I also believe that with this right the government would need to set-up an organization that would monitor the transaction between donor and recipient. With giving people the right to sell their own organs there will undoubtably come people who will try and scam some people out of their money. A hospital does not have time to make sure that every organ sold to a sick patient is actually donated if the transaction is taking place outside of the hospital. Also, the organization established would have to make sure that the donor and recipient have a matching blood type so as not kill the recipient by contaminating their blood. This would make the hospital now only responsible for doing the transplant of the organs and no longer having to find a donor for the patients.

I agree with the doctor, simple because every show that I’ve watched and the statistics in this article point to there being a shortage in organs. So why cant someone sell off his or her organ to someone that really needs it. Granted not everyone can afford this but there are people that can so why not. To add to this, if there is people buying organs this will create more organs for people that are needing them the traditional way. I see this has a good thing, it create a little less of a wait list and you can get paid for a body part that may not be necessary to you.

In a way I do agree with Dr.Cohen. It is your body so I believe that you should be able to do what you ant with it. Also if you could sell your organs it would encourage more and more people to donate their organs, which in turn would save more lives. Although I also must disagree with the doctors views. If a person is able to sell their organs then they will want to get "top dollar". Which will cause the people that need a translant, but dont have enough money forces them not to be able to save theirselves or loved ones. I am really on the fence on this topic.

I do agree. I think if someone wants to donate their kidney to someone go ahead its their own body. Now there are some people that are in need of cash and would probably want to sell it but when you think about it men give their sperm to sperm banks so women can have babies and they can walk away with the cash, so why cant someone give away or even sell their OWN kidney.

When it comes to Dr. Cohen view on buying and selling organs I am torn as I see both good and bad for both sides. If this were to take place, you would have individuals out bidding or having those individuals with the most readily available cash purchasing the organs. This would eliminate individuals who truly needed the organs but have limited funds available. It’s sad to hear that the society to so bad that people are stealing people organs for their financial benefit, this disturbs me. *Referencing story provided by Athena Smith. Would we allow convicted criminals to sell their organs while they are incarcerated?

If this were legal I believe a process should be in place. • Donor has passed a psychological check (sanity check) by a physician• Beneficiary of good health signed by donors doctor • A waiver signed by volunteer releasing all rights to the organ (Ex: Volunteer can not ask for the organ back later should they need it) • A waiver signed by accepting patient saying they acknowledge the organ and that they are accepting the conditions of the organ at the time it was given (Ex; The donor can not sue the volunteer for a faulty organ should the organ go bad over time; health conditions brought on or not; instance; smoking)

Who is to say that you can not accept an organ, should you be in great need of it? Everything has its price. Nothing comes for free.

At first I was sort of in between on this one. However, after thinking about it for a while, I do not agree that you should be able to sell your organs to the highest bidder. Your organs should either be donated after death or given because a loved one needs it. If you have sold a kidney and then a few years later you find your daughter needs a kidney, you'd be stuck living with the fact that you sold her chance. I don't think it would stop at kidneys.If it became legal to sell your kidneys the next thing you know, people would be trying to sell any organ they have two of. Where would it stop? Things could get real ugly, real fast. Instead of trying to get support for the selling of organs, he should be pushing the issue of organ donation. If everyone were an organ donor, there would probably be more than enough to go around and maybe then it wouldn't only be the rich that benefit.

I do agree and disagree.Dr.Cohen makes some valid points. I can't help but think of what might happen if you were to leagalize selling organs. I think that there would be alot more Organ Harvesting going on if you could make a quick buck off of someones kidney or liver or heart. But i do think that what you do with your organs is your own business. But we already do have the right to do with our organs as we please. We can decide if we want to be an Organ donor or not.If they were to leagalize the selling of organs How would they decide the prices of the kidneys as it goes from one donor to the other. There are just too many holes and morality issues when it comes to selling organs.I cant help but think about the people who would really need it but not be able to afford it if it were to be who can buy it, and i really dont want to walk into a Wal-mart and see and Organ Aisle.

I think thats the donation of organs should be mandatory after you pass. Look at the numbers. Some 6,000 people will die because they have to wait for a kidney. Thats outrageous. Though I do think that if you decide to sell them let there be a sliding scale. If your kidney matches match a single mom with 3 kids who has busted her but just to get by, then they should be reasonably priced so that her insurance can afford them. I know its your decision to keep your organs when you kick the bucket, but if you needed a kidney or a heart rest assured you would be begging to be put at the top of the list.

I disagree with Dr. Cohen; I don’t think it would be right to sell any kind of body part for financial gain. It wouldn’t be fair to the people who couldn’t afford to buy any of that stuff. Things should stay the way they are. It is best if it is given through donors of the deceased or through a family member or close friend. To me buying organs in order to survive is just wrong. Many people just can not afford it and that isn’t fair to them who work just as hard as the people who earn millions. I hope the world never comes to this where if you can buy organs you need to survive if you have the money. It would be like buying apples from the market.

I disagree with Dr. Cohen; I don’t think it would be right to sell any kind of body part for financial gain. It wouldn’t be fair to the people who couldn’t afford to buy any of that stuff. Things should stay the way they are. It is best if it is given through donors of the deceased or through a family member or close friend. To me buying organs in order to survive is just wrong. Many people just can not afford it and that isn’t fair to them who work just as hard as the people who earn millions. I hope the world never comes to this where if you can buy organs you need to survive if you have the money. It would be like buying apples from the market.

I completly agree with Cohen! If people are waiting on a list for kidneys and some are dieing because theres not alot why shouldn't people be allowed to sell theres? Whats the harm? Its there body , their choice. Nothing in this world is for free, and quite frankly some people don't even think to just give a kidney away specially if its not benefiting them, and not for a family member. Why would someone just help a random stranger out. Now alough there are some people that would, theres the other half that wouldn't. Although if there was an incentive for the provider hence money im sure people wouldn't even think twice to give a kidney transplant, therefore mjore people who needed one and was willing to pay could have that offer, and possibly have their life saved. And yes despite you buying a kidney off someone and it being unhealthy etc. then again it was your OWN choice just as much as theirs to sell it.. therefore if you have thoughts about someones kidney do your research better, find out if the person is healthy, or better yet just take your chances. If you dont want to buy it due to sanitary reason then by all means go on the waiting list like everyone else. But thoes who want a quick transplant and thoes who want to sell it should definatly be allowed, and I dont see why not!

I agree that if it’s part of your body, you should be able to sell it and make a profit. I know if it was me and a family member need something from me, I would never think of making them pay. But if there was a family in desperate need of an organ, and they couldn’t afford it I think I would help them out. Because I would like to think that if my family was in that situation someone would be kind enough to help us out. But if there are two parties willing to make a deal, then good for them.

I do agree with Dr. Cohen. My opinion is formed by putting myself into the lives of those whom need a kidney transplant to survive. If there is a way to save a life by simply paying for human organs, I say it is more than worth it.

Our organs and body parts belong to us. We are born with them. Why should someone be able to tell us what we can or cannot do with these parts?

I just read through a bunch of the other comments. There are some very valid points that have me changing my opinion slightly. One blogger talked about parents selling their children’s organs. This is a very real and terrifying thought. We can all think of the crazy things people are willing to do for money. With that being said, I still think it should be legal. The government would just need to set a lot of very strong guidance laws as to who and how the organs could be sold.

I think that it is a pretty ridiculous issue. The idea of selling your body parts is insane. There is no way anyone could put a price on a Kidney, and if so, who could afford to buy one? plus pay for the operation. Next thing you know we'll have people putting they're organs on the market to pay rent, yeah there would be tons more kidneys on hand but to me that just sounds wrong. Never have I once seen a commercial on television to persuade people to be an organ doner, maybe they should start there. On the other hand, I do believe in organ transplants, I just think that if you want to help someone in need of an kidney then you should become an organ doner. Like me!

So, the majority of those who disagree with selling organs for profit keep starting with phrases like "Selling your organs is wrong.", or "Selling organs is insane.".

Ok.

Why?

For real, why?

No one has really answered that question logiaclly.

We all agree (I think, may have missed a post) that the black market is a concern. There is no better way to deal with a black market than legalization, taxation, and regulations.

Let's take alcohol and marijuana, one is legal, the other isn't. It is much easier for someone who is under 21 to get pot than it is to get booze. If you buy booze, you know it is what it says it is, if you buy pot on the street you truly have no idea where it came from, or if it might possibly be laced with something you don't want.

I feel this analogy can be applied to organ donation. If it were regulated that would do away with a need for a black market, where seedy types may shanghai people for their organs. When was the last time you had to buy a beer, smoke, or soda from someone on the street? Never. If it's legal it's no longer profitable for mob types to profit off of it.

Mostly, no I don’t agree with this; simply because that may cause more death toll rates. If people are desperate enough they will kill people for their organs. And the killers will get the money for the victim’s organs without the victim’s knowledge or approval.Another issue I have with this is that, why if the organs are still useful not give it to someone who needs it. Say that a donator gave organs to a recipient and that recipient dies in a car crash a couple of years later. No, those organs can still be used and transplanted to whoever needs it. If people need kidneys, or any other organ yes, I pray that they get a donor. Let them become creative just like that family did that you told us about in class the other day. They put up a bill board saying that their son needed a kidney, and miraculously a person that they did not know called and offered their organ.

I agree with Dr. Cohen people have choice. If want people want to donate thier bodies, then we should let them. They doing for good cause. As humans we have choices to save lives. I know some people will do it for money, but saving a life is worth more

I agree with Dr. Cohen's idea that one should be able to seel their organs to another in need. People in our society today can do pertty much anything they please with their bodies, whether we agree or not. At the same time i belive that there must me limitations and certian guideline for the person giving or recieving. A series of test should be performed by both parties and agreements should be made. And with this said, the price of the organs should not be made to target only people with money that may be able to afford them. If organs are sold it should all me administered by people in the medicle feild and be made so that anybody that may need another organ is able to purchase one.

Well I think people should be able to do what they want with their body, but I don’t think its ok to harvest the organs of a dead person who didn’t give consent in the already regulated way. There should also be a screening test so people don’t make rash decisions about selling their organs, but than again why not. Still who are we to say someone can or cannot sell their organs, someone who is also stupid enough to make that decision on a whim should probably go ahead and do it to decrease the surplus population. I also think that a capitalistic view on our organs might not be the best thing, and someone should not be able to sell someone else’s organs at all even if they are married or related. If someone was going to sell their organs they should do so before they die to prevent stipulation. But I say do it the only way a country can learn is trial and error, but I will take no part in it.

I would be very afraid of where things would go next if something like this were legalized. People who need money would start selling off body parts. Some would probably go as far as to sell their eyes or something for drug money if they had the opportunity. Desperate people in desperate situations go to desperate measures; and I believe that legalizing a market for body parts would open up the floodgates for countless social problems. It would be societal regression rather than progression. There has to be another way to help the people on the waiting lists. One very obvious change agent for this cause is education! If more people realized the overwhelming need for these organs, more people would certainly consider being a donor.

After reading this article i would have to agree with Dr. Cohen, as an organ donor my hope would be that my organ would be beneficial to some other life in the world. Donating organ for some body in my family who really needs it would be a much better idea in my opinion then just selling it for money. Like it said in the article about 10,000 of them will receive transplants from deceased strangers, awarded by UNOS roughly in order of waiting time. An additional 6,000 or so on the waiting list will get a transplant from a living donor, almost invariably a close friend or relative. About 5,000 will either die or become too sick to qualify for a transplant. Most of the rest will still be waiting a year from now. This is why it would be a much better idea to donate your organs so that we may be able to save thousands of lives

Well I think people should be able to do what they want with their body, but I don’t think its ok to harvest the organs of a dead person who didn’t give consent in the already regulated way. There should also be a screening test so people don’t make rash decisions about selling their organs, but than again why not. Still who are we to say someone can or cannot sell their organs, someone who is also stupid enough to make that decision on a whim should probably go ahead and do it to decrease the surplus population. I also think that a capitalistic view on our organs might not be the best thing, and someone should not be able to sell someone else’s organs at all even if they are married or related. If someone was going to sell their organs they should do so before they die to prevent stipulation. But I say do it the only way a country can learn is trial and error, but I will take no part in it.

I can see both sides of this arguement personally, it seems to me like one has a logical point of view and the other is a a choice between whats right and wrong morally. Technically anybody, whoever they are, should have the right to do what they wish with there body or the things inside of it without somone else dictating them as long as it's not harmful to somone else. But on the other hand i can understand the reasoning against it, it does seem like a bit of an ethical grey area to be selling and trading off your organs for money, but i guess people are entitled to do what they want. If it where to become legal in the U.S. i would feel like like the it would bring a whole new meaning to doing anything for money, im not sure if its a good thing or a questionable one at best to be doing it, but then again it is saving lives. Up to you.

Weeze-FYou are absolutely right about the lack of advertising. We should concentrate on spreading the message!

A few have expressed concerns about parents selling their kids' organs. Under a legalized framework this would be strictly prohibited. Do not forget, the organ in question belongs to the kid, not the parent.However, this is a scenario that is played out on a daily basis in countries where the black market is thriving.In the Philippines this practice has been documented.Unfortunately more horrific scenarios are being played out as well. Children are kidnapped and killed for their organs.The Preda Foundation reports that a kidney or eyes can fetch $10,000, a heart $50,000 or more.

I'm really on the fence with this one. I think selling organs is wrong because people will go on a killing spree and the criminals will start selling their victims organs and so on and so forth. But now a days people are selling things that you wouldn't even think of people selling, that's just how things are now; but selling an organ shouldn't be one of the things.

On the other hand I think if someone is in desperate need of an organ such as a kidney and they want to make some extra money and the family of the person who needs it is willing to pay then I feel like that is okay. One thing I think might happen is that people will get carried away with the pricing and then nobody will be able to get an organ.

If this is something that does get passed there should be rules and regulations and price wages. Because someone who needs a kidney or another organ can't sell it for $100,000 or something ridiculous like that.

I still don't know if this would be a good thing or a bad thing to our society.

However we should not be under the impression that we are not allowed to sell some parts of our bodies.For we are.So here is the list of what we are allowed to sell:I copy from MSNPLASMAIt comprises a $7.8 billion annual global market, according to the Marketing Research Bureau, with more than 70% of the source plasma originating from inside Americans.

This strong, steady demand simply can't be met by unpaid volunteers. Ten million of the 12 million liters we pump out annually is from paid donors, many of them regulars pocketing $200-plus a month.

Legalizing the sale of human organs is a slippery slope. China is accused of harvesting organs and tissue from prisoners and selling it for profit. Please see http://archives.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/asiapcf/east/06/28/china.organ/for a Chinese doctor’s first hand account of the atrocities and human rights violations. This shows the negative aspects. However, Iran has legalized the sale of human organs and is the only country without an organ shortage. See http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-614.pdf for more on Iran’s organ selling policies. The selling of human organs is not a black and white issue. There are many shades of gray. Many lives will be saved by allowing this; however, responsible legislation will be of the utmost importance.In conclusion, yes, I believe the sale of human organs should be legalized

BearsAreNaturesLions I believe that the reason why many people find it difficult to explain "rationally" their opposition to organ selling is that the connection we have to our bodies is multidimensional. Physical, emotional, psychological.

Bleeding heart liberalThanks for the link to the iranian way of handling this issue. It was very interesting. Unfortunately as the article states, there is no follow-up of the vendors. Now, this is a major concern.

I agree with Dr. Cohen that people should be able to buy and sell their own organs, mainly becauase i do not think it is right for people that are in need for kidneys or other organs to just die without trying every resource possible. Isn't trying to save someone's life what doctors have to do, regardless of what they are subjected to do? I believe that they should be able to buy and sell organs to help people that are definitely in need of them. At the same time, the doctors should know what they are doing, and hopefully try and save someone elses' life.

I agree with Dr. Cohen that people should be able to buy and sell their own organs, mainly becauase i do not think it is right for people that are in need for kidneys or other organs to just die without trying every resource possible. Isn't trying to save someone's life what doctors have to do, regardless of what they are subjected to do? I believe that they should be able to buy and sell organs to help people that are definitely in need of them. At the same time, the doctors should know what they are doing, and hopefully try and save someone elses' life.

I can agree with just about everyone on this We have so much freedom with our body and that choices we make good and bad, paid and not-paid, so there shouldn’t be anything reason for a person to decide if they want to donate one of there kidneys for free. There’s obviously a need that some would like to meet for the seek of peoples lives

I can agree with just about everyone on this We have so much freedom with our body and that choices we make good and bad, paid and not-paid, so there shouldn’t be anything reason for a person to decide if they want to donate one of there kidneys for free. There’s obviously a need that some would like to meet for the seek of peoples lives

I have to agree with Dr. Cohen. If people can sell their sperm, eggs and hair why not organs. There seems to always be a shortage of organ donors,so maybe buy being able to sell your organs there would be more organs available for those in need. There could be some serious problems that could arise from the selling of organs; bidding wars then only the wealthy win, who will set the price, and at what age does somebody qualify to sell. Hopefully that would not include children, I could just see parents selling off their children's organs, unfortunately now they sell their children off for slaves and prostitution. As long as there are guidelines regarding, health age and pricing, the choice of selling your own organs should not be an issue...if its yours and only yours you should be able to sell it.

I can agree with just about everyone on this We have so much freedom with our body and that choices we make good and bad, paid and not-paid, so there shouldn’t be anything reason for a person to decide if they want to donate one of there kidneys for free. There’s obviously a need that some would like to meet for the seek of peoples lives.

I can agree with just about everyone on this We have so much freedom with our body and that choices we make good and bad, paid and not-paid, so there shouldn’t be anything reason for a person to decide if they want to donate one of there kidneys for free. There’s obviously a need that some would like to meet for the seek of peoples lives.

I agree with BearsAreNaturesLions, if you can mutilate your body and abort a baby then you should be able to do any thing else you want with you body providing it does not kill you. Plus it is for a good cause, not every one needs all of their body parts and can give them to those who need them. Stopping people from selling organs to save lives is like someone choking on food and someone stopping a person from performing the Heimlich. So yeah if you want to save a life by donating or sellin your organs then by all means you should be allowed to do it.

This is a free country and we should be allowed to do whatever we want with our organs. If someone wants to sell their organ then they should be able to. I agree with Dr. Cohen. There are many people out there who need organs and if the people who have them want to sell it then go ahead. Its your body and your free to do what you want with it. With the thousands of people who need a organ, their families and them are willing to do whatever it takes to get one or in this case however much it cost to get it. Its a win-win situation the people who need a organ get one and the people who are selling it get their money for their body.

I do and agree with Dr. Cohen. People should have the right to sell and buy kidneys to help another person to stay alive. But that might cause another problem the price selling these organs. Not all the people who needs organ have all the money in the world to buy an organ. There should be a set price to buy and sell organ because people can start abusing the price of organs. Another problem which was stated in the article is how about people who want a little of extra money stat selling for that reason. That might be a good thing but I do not think people should depend on selling their organs for some extra money. People do have the right to sell what hey own. Your organ belongs to you. Not a lot of people are willing to give an organ just to help save someone’s life. Put a price tag on it and they might think twice if they want to sell it. Also the people who are donating out the kindness of the heart for free might think twice when the see they can sell it instead to get money out of it.

I agree with Dr. Cohen then again I dont. I feel that first if a child is in a desperate need for a organ than they should get that as soon as possible. I'm not agreeing that it should be given by somebody that is not approved to give or has a deceased but if any family member or close friend can give than they should wether there qualified or not. Any blood family member should be able to give another family member a organ only because they have the same blood line. Now I really dont agree to given someone esle another persons organ just because they need it.I feel that if this person isn't fully approved then they shouldn't able to give. I do understand that if a person has a desease then it might take time for them to find the right organ but at the same time I dont agree that they should just be pushed off and set to the side just because they have something different from another person. I honestly feel that if a child or adult really needs an organ bad then they should get it, if it is a person who has a desease and chances are that they might not be able to get one then I feel they should still try there hardest because they still a living life.

Wow, this is a great question! I don't know if there is a cut and dry - black and white answer to this necessarily. I feel that by making internal organs a commodity that can be purchased as anything else, there would be more availability to patients needing transplant kidneys (or other organs) that would not otherwise be receiving them through altruism alone. For this reason I believe I do lean more towards the direction of Dr. Cohen. However, I do see how there could be ramifications in doing this as well. Would we allow poor people to put themselves at risk by selling their own organs if they so decide? Also, if patients could not afford to purchase a transplant organ would they be left to die? Perhaps it could be subsidized where half of the price of the organ could be paid either through the government or through charity. I think we should change the laws regarding this to at least see if there is some improvement in the receipt rate of patients needing transplants. If I, or someone I loved, were the one in need of an organ I would definitely want as many options on the table as possible.

I can totally understand why this could be a very controversial subject. Life, apart from what many might argue is not black and white. I personally feel that people should not be allowed to sell their kidneys, or any other body parts for that matter. If a person out of the goodness of their hearts wants to donate an organ to someone, well then that is their individual choice. I take this personal stand only because I know that sadly inevitably, this “privilege” will be maliciously abused like so many other controversial view points that as a society we face today. I think that as a human race we need to realize that we are all culturally different and that others in different countries can and do potentially get away with horrible acts of murder only so they can harvest organs from the innocent to turn a profit. If organ selling was legalized and not regulated it could literally mean life or death for hundreds or even thousands of innocent lives.

I agree it is your body you should be able to do what you like with it. I also think that allowing people to sell their organs will help stop people from going to other countries to get organs and bring back who knows what type of diseases. At least if this is done in the states we can make sure that everything is clean and you will know what you are getting.

I agree with Dr. Cohen. If you have money to buy an organ on EBay or any other site I think it could possibly be a win win situation in some cases. For example someone needs a kidney because they were born with a bad one, they might not be the first on the waiting list but they might not be the last, this would give them a chance to acquire what they need. On the other hand someone in perfectly good health, maybe someone who just lost there job, needs help financially this might give them sort of income. This might also mean that in the end we have more organs for people who really need them. So, yes I agree with Dr. Cohen.

I do not think I personally agree with Doctor Cohen. At what point can you really put a price on someone’s life? I believe something like this should be done out of the goodness of one’s heart. If someone were dying and they needed an organ but they could not afford it, does that mean that they should be condemned to death? Why should only rich people be allowed the opportunity for a new chance at life should one of their organs fail? I think it is a greedy business that Doctor Cohen wants to set up. As an organ donor, I hope my organs will be put to use when I die… but not at the price of someone else’s life.

I strongly disagree with Dr. Cohen and his lack of human compassion. I really don’t think your kidney should be sold on e-bay to the highest bidder. You should not be allowed to play God with your body parts and then dictate who should get them! What I read in his article is that life could potentially turn into a commodity and not a gift. At what time have we decided to put a price tag on human life? I learned long ago that money does not define who you are as a person. Selfish people should learn to be more selfless!

I love the idea. I think it is an amazing concept. I also agree with bearsarenatureslions that if a woman can abort a baby and people can whatever to their body then why not be able to sell a part of your body. It is your decision. If I needed a kidney desperately then heck yea, you bet I would cough up the bucks to save MY LIFE!!! I mean of course there are guidelines to doing such thing, but ultimately, this could save so many lives.

What is the main way people go about reciecing organs? donations. These donations go to people on a long list. These people wait "in a line" for a long time to wait, and some may die. When you start selling organs, it allows the people with the money to jump to the front of the line.

That may seem wrong, but in a sense it would be like waiting in a really long line for a rollercoaster ride and deciding to buy a speed pass. The differance is the scary wait for an organ may take forever.

Although moraly wrong, in reality an organ can be treated like a commodity. There are people who "sell there body" everday on the corner on some street. I think

Dr. Cohen has a point with his ideas and I aggre; I just worry for all those people who wait in line of that terrible rollercoaster ride who are pushed back in line and/ or cant afford it.

To a certain extent I would agree that one should be able to sell their kidney. I bet it must be dreadful to have to wait for someone to die just because their kidney is needed, and unless he or she has close loved ones, then the possibilities for a healthy kidney decreases more.Not everyone should be allowed to sell theirs just for the money. Certain criteria should be met. Overpricing would also be unfair. I think that the lower classes should be able to afford it as well. Everyone should have a chance to life, if that means selling your kidney, then why not.

I do agree with Dr. Cohen. Why not? Lets face it nothing in this world is free anymore. It is a shame, but true. If you offered middle class or lower class money for organs that they could survive without iam sure they will be willing to help a patient. I dont think they should pay millions but a set amount for organs would be legit. There is always the option to accept the money or not. But paying someone thousands to save a life, asks the question how much is your life worth? To me life is priceless i would pay someone to donate an organ to save me or a family member.

This is a matter of choice, as mentioned in other comments, if we can sell other parts of our body;Why not a kidney?.Making it legal would stablize prices,and make it more afforable to those in need. This is a very personal issue for me. I have a family member who is currently on a waiting list, and no match was found in the family.People are dying on a daily basis while waiting for a transplant,so I believe that if someone has a healthy organ and wish to sell it they should be able to do so.

Since selling organs is an extremely sensitive issue, I believe that if the right precautions and regulations are taken, it would without a doubt benefit the world we live in. One down side to this issue is that if selling organs became legalized, you would have an increase in people, "stealing" organs from other people and selling them to hospitals which has and will continue to happen. There will simply be a greater reward for those who are able to supply organs and criminals would want to get their hands on more and more organs. On the other hand, if organs became legalized and a respected establishment was founded in order to monitor the sales and purchases of these organs then you would greatly cut down on the illegal operations. Why? because then people would be selling their kidneys for money and you wouldn't have street criminals trying to sell organs because of the fact that they would have to go through a lengthy process of evaluation and tests in order to make sure that the organ is coming from a reliable source. Selling a part of your body to help a sick soul is not morally wrong, but a very generous gesture to those who are in need.